[Request] Japanese vocalist recommendations

Hi there,

I recently discovered japanese vocalist and componist Akiko Shikata. I think I was just browsing VGMdb and were looking at the list of highest rated album. Went through the list and tab-opened every album which I hadn't heard of. RAKA by Shikata was one of it.

I then checked my digital collection and was surprised that I already had a Akiko Shikata directory there which also did contain RAKA. Well, what should I say, I instantly fell in love with the album.
It's already ordered and so I spend the last few days acquiering most of her other albums. Thanks to #gamemp3s I already had most of her Ar Tonelico works and my directory also contained Navigatoria, Harmonia and "Ruins and Heaven". Getting hold of the remaining albums wasn't very hard and I think I have most of the them by now.

For reference see the VGMdb listing:
Akiko Shikata - VGMdb

Like I said I instantly fell for RAKA, but I also very much like Navigatoria and Harmonia. Kalliope is also very nice, even though it doesn't feature her vocals (piano arrangement). Purchase of Navigatoria and Harmonia is planned for next month. Kalliope comes later.

I already know three other female japanese vocalist:

• Angela Aki: performed ending theme of FF12, performed a ending theme for the BLOOD+ anime and has so far released three major-label albums
• Haruka Shimotsuki: performs together with Shikata on the Ar Tonelico soundtrack, has released three original albums
• Kaori Kawasumi: mostly performs for compositions by Noriyuki Iwadare

I have two albums from Aki: HOME and TODAY, really nice stuff. You have to like piano though, since it's mostly Aki's vocals and piano. I heard that she really rocks at live performances. Judging from some videos on the bonus DVD of TODAY this seems to be true. *g*

So far I only own one (two if you also count the Atelier Iris ETERNAL MANA OST) album by Shimotsuki. That is Tindharia no Tane. All vocals by her and also most of the compositions (rest by Iwadare).

I have most albums that feature Kawasumi and are listed on VGMdb. That includes most of the Grandia soundtracks (still missing the OST for the first game, only have the Best Of collection) and the probably best album "Ingmar" (RDCD-0008: Ingmar -for the beginning- - VGMdb). Vocals by Kawasumi and composition by Iwadare... yummy

So that's a rough overview of the material that I know (and like).

Now I'm looking for recommendations concerning other female vocalists singing (mostly in japanese). I say mostly because Aki sometimes performs in english and Shikata also sings in italian and german (I can verify the italian part, but only read about her singing in german).

Greets,
liquid

Jam it back in, in the dark.

http://www.gamingforce.org/forums/me...iscussion.html

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I'm aware of that thread, but that's not really what I'm looking for.

First of all I don't think that the material above really classifies as "J-Pop". When I think of J-Pop someone like Ayumi Hamasaki comes to my mind. Shikata does something that could be described as japanase folk, with some celtic influences. Sometimes it's also very experimental. I really wouldn't described it as "J-Pop"...

Secondly I would like to have recommendations based on the overview I've written in the entry post. That requires that you have first hand experience with the artist's music.

I don't want any generic recommendations. If I wanted that I could just open the Wiki page about female japanese vocalists and skim through them. The thread you linked to Toby is pretty generic and it doesn't even list Shikata in the entry post. Well, it doesn't list any of the artists I mentioned above - I think that speaks for itself.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by LiquidAcid

I'm aware of that thread, but that's not really what I'm looking for.

First of all I don't think that the material above really classifies as "J-Pop". When I think of J-Pop someone like Ayumi Hamasaki comes to my mind. Shikata does something that could be described as japanase folk, with some celtic influences. Sometimes it's also very experimental. I really wouldn't described it as "J-Pop"...

Secondly I would like to have recommendations based on the overview I've written in the entry post. That requires that you have first hand experience with the artist's music.

I don't want any generic recommendations. If I wanted that I could just open the Wiki page about female japanese vocalists and skim through them. The thread you linked to Toby is pretty generic and it doesn't even list Shikata in the entry post. Well, it doesn't list any of the artists I mentioned above - I think that speaks for itself.

It's also a super old thread, but it's still a starting point. It's Japanese popular music, so it is classified as J-pop; Angela Aki especially. It's all weeaboo music.

You could have looked some of the artists up on Youtube upon reading the recommendations. OP happened to write really good reviews of the artists he mentioned and I'm sure you'd find something you'd like. But with the attitude you've given me, good luck getting help from anyone.

(I very easily could have given you recommendations, what with my hundreds of GB of Japanese music, but now I'm not)

Most amazing jew boots

Originally Posted by Toby

It's also a super old thread, but it's still a starting point.

It's a starting point if you're totally new to japanese music. That doesn't apply to me. What I need are specific recommendations by someone who also likes the artists that I mentioned in the entry post. If you cannot / don't want to give me these recommendations, than that's fine with me.

Originally Posted by Toby

It's Japanese popular music, so it is classified as J-pop;

J-Pop -> popular -> mainstream. That's not what I'm looking for.

Originally Posted by Toby

Angela Aki especially.

Maybe I should have emphasized this, but the main accent of the entry post is Shikata. I'm especially fond of piano music / arrangements and Aki has some nice voice, so I found it worthy to mention her.

Originally Posted by Toby

It's all weeaboo music.

I don't think Nipponophilia plays a role here. I like the music because I like it, not because it's performed by some japanese artist. I admit that I like japanese vocals although I understand only a small percentage of the words. Though that's probably just the same like people liking italian language, stating that it sounds "sexy".

Originally Posted by Toby

You could have looked some of the artists up on Youtube upon reading the recommendations. OP happened to write really good reviews of the artists he mentioned and I'm sure you'd find something you'd like.

Finding new artists when your music taste is not mainstream is extremely hard. Like I already stated, I could just browse through the Wiki entry and randomly check artists but that's like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Originally Posted by Toby

But with the attitude you've given me, good luck getting help from anyone.

I haven't give you any "attitude", I just made clear that you missed the point of the thread. You're also insulting me with dropping off this link, implicating that I didn't use the forum search before typing all this.

I want to make this very clear. I don't post before doing any research myself, ever (that does apply to all board / mailing lists I'm active on). I have done my research here. To be more specific I'm currently looking into Noriko Mitose, since she worked together with Shikata on some projects.

However I want your ideas / recommendations.

Originally Posted by Toby

(I very easily could have given you recommendations, what with my hundreds of GB of Japanese music, but now I'm not)

quantity != quality

I'm already happy if someone can name me one single album by a different artist that goes into the same direction as the works described in the entry post. There are enough torrents out there that bundle a huge bunch of japanese music. I could download these, but again: that's not what I want.

I was speaking idiomatically.

If you're a fan of Shimotsuki, make sure to listen to Ashiato Rhythm.

If you don't mind looking into Shikata's non-vocal works, the Hanakisou OST is great. There's a couple of vocals on there, but some of my favorite tracks on there are all instrumental.

Considering the small list of vocalists you posted, it's actually kind of hard to give recommendations. You could try Yae, but I'm not really a fan of her. Eri Kawai's probably a good one (check out Kirite, it's amazing). Maybe some stuff from the .hack OSTs as well.

Mostly just throwing some kinda similar stuff out here. Considering Shikata is unlike everything I've heard, it's kind of hard.

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by Talaysen

If you're a fan of Shimotsuki, make sure to listen to Ashiato Rhythm.

Thanks, going to take a listen. That's her first commercial album, right?

Originally Posted by Talaysen

If you don't mind looking into Shikata's non-vocal works, the Hanakisou OST is great.

I think I have this one in my digital collection, but didn't listen to it yet. Non-vocal is fine too, especially since her compositions on Kalliope sound absolutely great even without her voice

Originally Posted by Talaysen

There's a couple of vocals on there, but some of my favorite tracks on there are all instrumental.

I will definitely check this out, thanks!

Originally Posted by Talaysen

Considering the small list of vocalists you posted, it's actually kind of hard to give recommendations.

I could add Mary Elizabeth McGlynn (if that helps *g*), who performed on most of the Silent Hill soundtracks (composed by Akira Yamaoka). But I only know that she performs in english and furthermore I know know her works for SH (I'm aware that see's a voice actor for lots of anime series and even VGs).

Apart from that I have only heard a few other vocalist like Mikuni Shimokawa, who performed the intro song "tomorrow" for the first Full Metal Panic! anime (however that's the only work I know of her), and Hitomi Takahashi, who performed the first intro song "Aozora no Namida" for the BLOOD+ anime. I own her album "sympathy" which has some great tracks like the already mentioned theme song, "Evergreen" and "Another Daybreak". I took a look at her other albums but I was not really convinced. Her style changed a lot and I'm not really a fan of punk.

Originally Posted by Talaysen

You could try Yae, but I'm not really a fan of her.

You mean her?
Yae - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Any hints which album I might wanna fetch to get a (good) first impression?

Originally Posted by Talaysen

Eri Kawai's probably a good one (check out Kirite, it's amazing).

Oh yeah
Actually I'm very aware of Eri Kawai (may she rest in peace), but so far I only know her collaboration works with Yasunori Mitsuda. However I have put her memorial album (DDCZ-1581: Kaze No Michi E / Eri Kawai - VGMdb) on my birthday wishlist, so maybe I'm going get it from my parents. It's kind of a "blind purchase" since I really don't know anything from her, apart from her performances for Mitsuda.
And concerning Kirite (which I already own), yeah, that's one hell of an album. Too bad I still haven't found a translation of the story book by Masato Kato, which is included with the disc (AFAIK it's sort of a soundtrack for the story).

Originally Posted by Talaysen

Maybe some stuff from the .hack OSTs as well.

I think I have heard of .hack before, but haven't listened to anything yet. *putting on list*

Originally Posted by Talaysen

Mostly just throwing some kinda similar stuff out here. Considering Shikata is unlike everything I've heard, it's kind of hard.

Thanks for your effort! Yeah, Shikata seems kinda unique

FELIPE NO

Looks like this was who I was talking about: Fujimoto Yae - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Like I said, not really a fan, and the only album I've heard from her is Blue Line, as well as Kazenone from Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles. I wouldn't call either of these notable though.

As for Eri Kawai, the album you mentioned there is pretty good. The other one I know of is Himawari, which is also worth a listen.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Akiko Shikata does the OP for Umineko no Naku Koro ni:

YouTube Video

(warning: spoilers)


Haruka Shimotsuki's best song, in my opinion:

YouTube Video

I've tried to find the single on YJA for a year now (even though the track is available on Ashiato Rhythm), but it's apparently very rare.


And now for something different: KOKIA performing Chouwa Oto live:

YouTube Video

And here's the group Kalafina performing ARIA live:

YouTube Video

Jam it back in, in the dark.

-----

There's nowhere I can't reach.

A big thanks goes to blah!

KOKIA sounds interesting (have to hear more stuff before I can judge this properly) but Kalafina is just the type of music I search.
Now going undercover trying to grab some music

@youseph: Sounds like her, but I can't figure out from which album it is. Haven't heard all her compositions yet, so it's probably from one of the older ones.

EDIT: Hehe, I'm seeing the connection now. Yuki Kajiura, member of Kalafina and according to Wikipedia also the primary composer, seems (acoording to VGMdb) to be responsible for some .hack albums. Now grabbing "Seventh Heaven" which seems like a good album to get to know the group.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Heh, that's one of my favorite Shimotsuki songs as well, Bigblah. Never heard of Kokia myself, and she does seem interesting, though I like the instrumentals more than the vocals in that song for some reason.

Yes, Kajiura was also respnsible for the .hack//SIGN OST and the opening for .hack//ROOTS. SIGN is the one I really recommend though. I've heard other Kalafina stuff and definitely second that recommendation as well. But most things that Yuki Kajiura has worked on are pretty solid (might want to check out the Fictionjunction stuff). Though some people get put off by the fact that all of her stuff has a similar distinct style.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Eri Kawai, one of my favourites. Grab her memorial CD, Himawari, here: MEGAUPLOAD - The leading online storage and file delivery service A lot of the works in this album borrow a lot from the Celtic style music that Mitsuda derives from. So think of it as Kirite Part 2 :P My favourite from the album: YouTube - Kawai Eri - Undine -Zougoshi ver.-

Maya Sakamoto is pretty popular. She collaborates with Yoko Kanno (Best Anime Composer!) for most of the anime openings/endings.

YouTube - Hemisphere - RahXephon Opening by Maaya Sakamoto [HIGH QUALITY!!!]
YouTube - Maya sakamoto Gravity Wolf's rain

Hope you enjoy these.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Kalafina really rocks

Looks like that the live videos from Youtube are actually available in full res digital format. They're from the bonus DVD that was included with the limited edition of the Seventh Heaven album. Someone has uploaded the DVD ISO here:
Foro MCAnime ~ Ver tema - Kalafina - Seventh Heaven & Lacrimosa [DVD-ISO]

If the limited edition is still available next month I might grab it from YesAsia.

EDIT: I knew that Eri Kawai was good and the Himawari album proves it again. Thanks for the hint and upload Sepharite!

EDIT2: Fetched and currently evaluating:

• Akiko Shikata - When the Seagulls Cry / Umineko no Naku Koro ni [KNIL-0003]
• Ashiato Rhythm ~Haruka Shimotsuki works best~ [LHCA-5015]
• Kalafina - Seventh Heaven (with bonus DVD)
• Eri Kawai - Himawari

Now stuck with the Kalafina live performances set on repeat

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Update:
Realising that Yuki Kajiura was also responsible for the later Xenosaga games I started to dig a bit deeper.

I still haven't listened to .hack, but I found a IMHO real gem, the OST to "El Cazador de la Bruja". This one blends a multitude of different styles: The track with the children choir remind me a bit of the "Home Alone" score by John Williams. Then there are tracks that are very Morricone-like, then other with an african feeling. Also lots of celtic and oriental influences. Very great stuff, so to speak [another album for my list]

In case you want to preview the album, it's available from #losslessONE (they provide both a tracker and distribution through IRC bots).

Anyway, I'm really impressed how versatile this woman is
Especially considering the few albums I actually listened to *g*

EDIT: Almost forgot, IT HAS JAZZ!!!!!!!!1111 *OMFG*

FELIPE NO

Last update:
First of all: I dropped Noriko Mitose from my list. Her solo performances really don't knock me off my feet. Her voice is nice, but most of her tracks sound rather boring to me. However if someone has any good advice which of her work is awesome, I'll gladly put her back on the list.

Concerning Haruka Shimotsuki: I have ordered both the Ashiato Rhythm and the Oto no Compass. Still have to look into all her other works, which seems to be a huge bunch of tracks. If you like laid back compositions backed with a soft voice, then you should really try out Shimotsuki. Very different from Shikata, but both have a lot of ethnic influences in their songs. Something I really like.

Maaya Sakamoto: Another great recommandation, especially in combination with mentioning Yoko Kanno. I knew Kanno mainly composed anime scores, but I wasn't aware that she also did a lot more than that. Fetched a bunch of albums through a huge lossless discography torrent, which also contains (most?) Maaya Sakamoto albums (AFAIK Maaya always lets Kanno compose her songs). Currently listening to DIVE, Lucy and Shonen Alice.
Also learned that Kanno replaced Kenji Kawai as composer for the GitS anime series. I started with the bonus OST disc (the one with one long track) "smooth in the shell" and then went back to OST1, OST2 and OST3. Pretty amazing stuff. Also going to listen to her works for Brain PowerD and Escaflowne. Still thinking which Sakamoto album to order.

Yuki Kajiura: Fetched most of the Kalafina albums. Lots of track that are really good, some have a bit too much "pop" for my taste. Also checked out the FictionJunction project (#losslessONE has released the "Everlasting Songs" album). Same thing applies here. Still very good stuff.
Finally listened to .hack//SIGN... not bad, but I still like "El Cazador de la Bruja" better

Well, so it remains to say "thank you" to all people who made constructive contributions to this thread. I think I have enough material now and a lot of information where to find more. E.g. I put KOKIA on hold, but might look into her if I run out of tunes *g*

I'm leaving this thread open for further discussion. Maybe someone wants to defend Mitose (I would be glad to see this) by hinting me to a groovy track

Oh yeah, I might as well pose this question here:
Haruka Shimotsuki seems to have done (according to Wikipedia) two live concerts. I found one FLAC rip from the second concert (Haruka Shimotsuki solo live Lv.2), where I don't know exactly if it's some sort of concert bootleg or a rip of a promotional disc that was handed out at the concert. Nonetheless the three tracks are a real feast for the ears and I would love to hear something from the first concert (the Lv.1 one). If someone has some sort of rip it would be really great if he could provide it.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Speaking of Haruka Shimotsuki, I highly recommend Tindharia no Tane, music composed by her, arranged by Iwadare. Lots of great music on that disc. She's also coming out with another Tindharia related album in October that features compositions by Michiko Naruke, Yoshitaka Hirota, Noriyuki Iwadare, and MANYO. That one is called Griotte no Nemuri Hime.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by ZiggyGo

Speaking of Haruka Shimotsuki, I highly recommend Tindharia no Tane, music composed by her, arranged by Iwadare.

Yeah, my first album from her. Funny thing was that it was mere chance that I purchased the album from Chudah (VGMdb sale)
Was just browsing for stuff from Iwadare back then and saw Tindharia on her list. Did I blind purchase just judging from the cover art (something I usually don't do).

Originally Posted by ZiggyGo

Lots of great music on that disc. She's also coming out with another Tindharia related album in October that features compositions by Michiko Naruke, Yoshitaka Hirota, Noriyuki Iwadare, and MANYO. That one is called Griotte no Nemuri Hime.

Thanks for the info! Naruke sounds interesting, she didn't do much compositions lately, didn't she? (apart from her arranging on the recent CAVE album).

There's nowhere I can't reach.

She also did the theme songs for RIZ-ZOAWD as well.

Oh, and Haruka Shimotsuki is also the singer on the Atelier Iris 3 Grand Fantasm Single.

http://vgmdb.net/album/1788

How ya doing, buddy?

I might be way off here, as my knowledge of any type of Japanese music is pretty limited, other that what I hear here and there.
But listening to your favorite artists and those of Bigblah's you like, I thought maybe this might be up your alley too:

YouTube Video

It's one of the most beatiful Japanese pieces I've heard personally.

Quote:

The closing song, "Always With Me" (いつも何度でも, Itsumo Nandodemo?, literally, "Always, No Matter How Many Times") was written and performed by Yumi Kimura, a composer and lyre-player from Osaka. The lyrics were written by Kimura's friend Wakako Kaku. The song was intended to be used for Rin the Chimney Painter (煙突描きのリン, Entotsu-kaki no Rin?), a different Miyazaki film which was never released. In the special features of the DVD, Hayao Miyazaki explains how the song in fact inspired him to create Spirited Away. Link.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Yeah, I know that one.

In fact I own most of Joe Hisaishi's works for Studio Ghibli. His compositions for Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke are my favorite ones. The Mononoke theme is especially strong, even without the vocalist.

I have one live album from Hisaishi (Psycho Horror Night), which also features a Princess Mononoke medley. It's composed of the Ashitaka theme, Adagio of Life and Death (if I remember correctly) and a beautiful rendition of the Mononoke theme, featuring both piano and strings. It's purely instrumental but gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it.

Coming back to "Always With Me", it's a perfect closing theme. However you have to watch the anime to really enjoy it. Hard to describe, but it leaves you with a deep feeling of satisfaction when then credits end. It's something that most Ghibli work accomplish. Watch e.g. "Laputa / Castle in the Sky", the ending theme just fits perfectly (YouTube - Laputa castle in the sky ending + lyrics). I don't think I have to mention the Mononoke ending (full reprise of the Ashitaka theme). Hisaishi is especially good at choosing these

EDIT:
@Ziggy: Yeah, almost forgot about RIZ-ZOAWD. I purchased it just because of Naruke's work. I had hoped that she did some more tracks since the rest of the album is pretty much standard Sakimoto-style (he's a bit like Sakuraba, always clinging onto his standard style). But good to hear that she's still in business. I'm really curious how a collaboration between her and Shimotsuki could sound like

I was speaking idiomatically.

Hell yeah, I also own most of the Ghibli movies. Music is epic.

Originally Posted by LiquidAcid

(YouTube - Laputa castle in the sky ending + lyrics)

Parts of this song always reminds me of Maigo from Tonari no Totoro. Can't seem to find a proper version on Youtube, but you probably have it anyway

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Speaking of opening / ending themes, I think this one should be mentioned:

"Tobikata wo Wasureta Chiisana Tori" (A Little Bird Who Forgot How to Fly) by MISIA, opening theme song for "Star Ocean 3: Till the End of Time".

I don't know any other work by MISIA, but this one is really strong. AFAIK it's not included on the official OST nor on the arrange album.

You can listen to the song here:
YouTube - Misia - the Little Bird

FELIPE NO

Glad you liked Sakamoto

Have you heard of Shiina Ringo?

YouTube - Shiina Ringo - La Salle de Bain
YouTube - Shiina Ringo x Saito Neko - Gamble

If you're interested, I'd recommend the Heisei Fuuzoku album. It has more of a sweet orchestrated sound than her usually hardcore metal.

Some random ones, I forgot to mention previously.

YouTube - RahXephon - Yume no Tamago (Egg of the Dream)
YouTube - Ayaka - Okaeri (????)
YouTube - Yamato (2005) - "Close your eyes" ost with romanian subtitle

Hope you like em.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Originally Posted by LiquidAcid

First of all: I dropped Noriko Mitose from my list. Her solo performances really don't knock me off my feet. Her voice is nice, but most of her tracks sound rather boring to me. However if someone has any good advice which of her work is awesome, I'll gladly put her back on the list.

Well, I can make some suggestions. Don't know how much it will help.

"Stigmata" - From Mana Khemia

"EXEC_SPHILIA/." - From Ar tonelico 2 (Get both Hymn Concert albums if you haven't already.)

"Winter Coffin~Black King's Sacrifice" - Winter Mix Vol.5 RED VERSION

"Kataha no Kotori" - Collaboration Album "message" (I recommend this whole album, really.)

"seven colors" - Little Wing works album "Thanksgiving" (I think this originally came from somewhere else, but I don't know where. Also another full album I recommend.)

For the two above mentioned albums, they contain a large number of different vocalists, so they might be helpful in finding new people you like. "message" is a collaboration of many composers along with many vocalists. For example, "Kataha no Kotori" is composed by Yoshitaka Hirota (Shadow Hearts series). It also has a Shimotsuki song (composed by Motoi Sakuraba).

If you have any interest in Naruke's work, check out the vocals by Kaori Asoh while you're at it. Wild ARMs 2's opening ("You'll Never Be Alone no Matter Where You Go") is one of my favorite songs ever. I prefer Wild ARMs 3's OST overall, though.

Another recommendation I'll make is the album murmur. It contains compositions by Yoko Shimomura (Kingdom Hearts, Legend of Mana, Super Mario RPG, etc.) with Chata as the vocalist. Really nice stuff overall. I haven't heard much else by Chata so I can't say what she's like in general, though.

I also recommend taking a listen to Shadow Hearts: Covenant's ending theme "GETSUREKA". I don't know anything else about the vocalist, but it's a beautiful song.

How ya doing, buddy?